Health Ministry officials says pools fine, hospitals in crisis

Deputy Health Ministry head Itamar Grotto tells the Knesset’s coronavirus committee that there is no epidemiological data to show that pools are a major source of infections, indicating they are likely safe.

“Most pools have reopened gradually around the world,” he tells lawmakers reviewing the latest set of government restrictions, which would shut beaches on weekends, but leave pools open.

But he also warns that numbers of Israelis needing to be hospitalized will only continue to surge even if a full lockdown is imposed right now.

“We have over 550 coronavirus patients hospitalized and the crush is creating a crisis. From the moment someone is infected until they degrade to serious condition is about two weeks. We can look ahead with worry because even if we shut the whole economy and force everyone to remain at home, we will see the spread continuing.

According to current Health Ministry data, there are 649 patients hospitalized, including 238 in serious condition.

The data shows three major hospitals at 100 percent capacity or higher in their coronavirus wards, including Jerusalem’s Hadassah Ein Kerem, which is at 184% capacity. Two more hospitals are at 94% capacity and another nine are at 50% or higher.